Going To Vegas!

[slot monkey]

reho33

I'll play just about any slot theme that I haven't already played, if it's got a coin slot and reels, I'm all over it.

The vintage slots will be interesting to play as I haven't had much experience with them.

Thanks knagl, I will definately go to Fitzgerald's and El Cortez while I'm doing the Fremont experience.

[StatFreak]

StatFreak, I agree with CommTech, I was there about the same time. When are you planning on going? Just wandered, when I get back I'm sure I will have some coupons left over that I can send your way.

Just about the time that you posted this message.

I picked up a free cold Monday night from some passerby and got home just in time to try it out Wednesday evening. I've had a fever for the last three days. It got up to 103.2° but isn't too bad now.

As for the IP (Imperial Palace), they told me that the free room was an 'older' room and asked if I wanted an upgrade for $16 a night, to which I agreed. All I can say is that I'd hate to see what the OTHER room was like!    It was decent enough to sleep in, though, and was located center strip, where I wanted to be on this trip. Harrah's had better food and better blackjack so most of my activities were done there since it's the same company anyway. I won enough at BJ to pay for the trip and put a couple of hundred in my pocket (I wanted more, but it was the last night,  I had been playing for over 2 hours, the relief pit boss was eyeing my play and was in a bad mood, so I made a timely exit.)

BTW, I'm not sure why some have recommended the IP for breakfast over Harrah's.  The Imperial Palace breakfast buffet was $12.99, Harrah's was $14.99, and the difference in quality and selection was worth at least $22.734    It's not that Harrah's buffet is over the top, but rather that IP is under the bottom. Okay, I've had worse, but one look at the selection and quality and I turned around and walked over to Harrah's.

I did treat myself to a dinner at the Bellagio buffet after getting far enough ahead at BJ (I lost the first half-hour that I played and had to go back and put in a few hours of play to get back into the black). Their current price is $30.21 w/tax ($35.21 w/tip). I tried some quail for the first time (tastes like chicken. but at least I can say that I tried it), as well as a fish that they labeled "African Bluenose". They had a curried duck that was quite good and some mushroom ravioli with truffle that I enjoyed.The al dente asparagus was fresh and well prepared. The prime rib was excellent, but the other carving meats looked less inviting. I took a slice of roast lamb, but it wasn't all that great and I didn't eat it, since there were other dishes worth sampling. I skipped the sushi and "California" style pizza etc. as I can get these anytime.

I finally played Star Trek and achieved my goal of getting at least one bonus so that I could create a user name and save my game state. DAYUM, that game sucks money! I lost the better part of $100 before finally getting a bonus round (playing between one and three coins per line with the bonus (35¢ - $1.05 a spin). I then got really  lucky and hit a cluster of Captain Kirks with on one of my three coins-per-line wagers and won 11200+ coins (over $112.00), so I was able to quit up about $27. I picked a machine with particularly loud volume (I know that there are three player-selectable volume levels, but there is an internal setup volume that makes more of a difference) so I could feel the sound effects rumble in my chest while I played.

[tacman]

I find the Star Trek slots to be pretty entertaining too! And as a side note for you Trekkies, I was just at Toys R Us and they have the Diamond Toys full size props from the original series available. 2 piece phaser, communicator with great audio, lights and spinning disc and tricorder with reader, COOL!  

 Dan (tacman)

[StatFreak]

The game is most definitely entertaining. I just wish that my particular short run had been less volatile and that I'd had a chance to play more bonus rounds.

[CommTech]

BTW, I'm not sure why some have recommended the IP for breakfast over Harrah's.  The Imperial Palace breakfast buffet was $12.99, Harrah's was $14.99, and the difference in quality and selection was worth at least $22.734    It's not that Harrah's buffet is over the top, but rather that IP is under the bottom. Okay, I've had worse, but one look at the selection and quality and I turned around and walked over to Harrah's.

The reason I recommended I.P.'s Breakfast Buffet over Harrah's was simply the price difference.  Two years ago when I last visited, I.P.'s Breakfast was just under $10. I believe that Harrah's Breakfast was close to $15 at the time.  That adds up after a week. And yes, I am cheap!   I agree that for only a couple of bucks more, Harrah's would definitely be the better choice! 

[StatFreak]

BTW, I'm not sure why some have recommended the IP for breakfast over Harrah's.  The Imperial Palace breakfast buffet was $12.99, Harrah's was $14.99, and the difference in quality and selection was worth at least $22.734    It's not that Harrah's buffet is over the top, but rather that IP is under the bottom. Okay, I've had worse, but one look at the selection and quality and I turned around and walked over to Harrah's.

The reason I recommended I.P.'s Breakfast Buffet over Harrah's was simply the price difference.  Two years ago when I last visited, I.P.'s Breakfast was just under $10. I believe that Harrah's Breakfast was close to $15 at the time.  That adds up after a week. And yes, I am cheap!   I agree that for only a couple of bucks more, Harrah's would definitely be the better choice! 

IP must have raised its prices. For $8.99 or $9.99 it would have been more appealing, and I can definitely understand saving $5 a meal over the course of a week. If one simply wants some eggs the IP buffet would do fine.

There is also a place at IP called burger palace where you can have your choice of either a 99¢ chicken sandwich or a $2 burger for $10 each, no extra charge for the rude personnel or the gallon of mayonnaise.    AVOID AT ALL COST. The McDonald's a block away would be an infinitely better selection of, uh, "cuisine".

<PS> I also had lunch at Planet Hollywood in the Caesar's Palace forum shops. The food and service were both excellent, and their plain ice water is filtered. Every dish that I saw around me looked inviting. I browsed the higher end restaurants at the Venetian and up at the Wynn, but they were out of my current price range.

[slot monkey]

StatFreak,

Great to hear you had some winnings on blackjack!

Your food critique of the Bellagio was great, prime rib is one of my favorites. Thirty bucks plus tip is pricey but I'll give it a try if I win some extra coin.

I will give the star trek machines some play time since I've never played that them before. Nice that you got some winnings from captain kirk.

The burger palace was a rip off when I was there a long time ago. I didn't eat there, just went in and checked it out and then walked over to the mcdonald's.

I'm sure there will be alot of eating places that will be out of my price range also.


CommTech,

I agree, it all adds up after a few days..... by the way, I'm cheap too..... haha

[Op-Bell]

All the buffets have raised prices substantially. It's not that long ago that the breakfast buffet at the Sahara was only $2.99 ($4.99 lunch, $6.99 dinner). There are much better deals off the strip, in the places the locals go. The Stations casino buffets were still good value last time I went, a couple of years ago. The 99 cent ham'n'eggs is a thing of the past now in Vegas (though you can still get it in Reno) but you can eat for $1.99 at the Wild Wild West, a block west of the freeway on Tropicana. The food isn't wonderful but it's edible.

Last month I ate at Smith and Wolensky steak house, and was extremely disappointed. I think it was the least tasty $60 meal I ever ate. For really good vittals I recommend the M Resort, which has at least six world class restaurants. You will of course pay handsomely, but if you want to impress someone it's a sure thing. M is far out of town, about 10 miles south of the Strip on Las Vegas Blvd.

[fiddlefarter]

Hey guys I have booked a room at The Orleans in Vegas from the 16th of November to the 22nd if anyone wants to meet up while I am there send me a message.

[KirkLasVegas]

Count me in! I will be at the G2E
For the Buffet people, the local paper "RJ" Review Journal usually runs 2 for the price of one coupons either daily or weekends good at ALL the Station locations...not a bad deal


Kirk

[knagl]

I love The Orleans (although avoid the buffet there -- it's gone downhill recently).  We stay there nearly every trip (not this upcoming trip I have in December, though) -- it's our "home" of sorts in Vegas.

The Country French Toast in the coffee shop (the "Courtyard Cafe") is wonderful -- we have to go there every trip just for it!


As far as buffets, the Red Rock Resort, M Resort, and Wynn buffets all are at the top of my list of best buffets.  If you can get Red Rock with the 2-for-1, it's a steal!

[KirkLasVegas]

I love The Orleans (although avoid the buffet there -- it's gone downhill recently).  We stay there nearly every trip (not this upcoming trip I have in December, though) -- it's our "home" of sorts in Vegas.

The Country French Toast in the coffee shop (the "Courtyard Cafe") is wonderful -- we have to go there every trip just for it!


As far as buffets, the Red Rock Resort, M Resort, and Wynn buffets all are at the top of my list of best buffets.  If you can get Red Rock with the 2-for-1, it's a steal!

He is correct on that! We should plan an "Excursion" from the G2E to the Red Rock Casino. Easy to get to, head North to Sahara, go west to the 215 Beltway,North a few exits and off at Charleston. it's right there!
besides good food (the BBQ joint has closed down) they have a lot of nice new machines from WMS/IGT/Bally and now Konami...

[fiddlefarter]

I spent many months researching which place to stay then it all changed when my mother couldn't take care of my 11 year old daughter so I had to find a place that offers child minding, the reviews of this place seem quite good it only cost about $40 per night. What I save here I will no doubt have to spend at Disneyland and Universal studios gggrrrrr. Thanks for the tips cheaper is better as I am no longer working I will need to save the $$$$

[KirkLasVegas]

Universal Studios and Disneyland.....
They have magnets that can suck the dollar bills out of your pockets and you dont even feel it.
Las Vegas is pale in comparasion!

[fiddlefarter]

I can imagine, my daughter has that same skill of making my cash disappear 

[knagl]

the reviews of this place seem quite good it only cost about $40 per night.

You'll be very happy with The Orleans.  It's not a luxury hotel, but it's very nice there.

[slot monkey]

KirkInVegas,

A get together sounds great. It should be a good time!

I won't be at the G2E but can arrange some kind of lunch or dinner and some gambling together.

That makes three so far for Vegas, slot monkey, fiddlefarter and KirkInVegas.

Maybe some others here that will be in Vegas around the same time!

[StatFreak]

the reviews of this place seem quite good it only cost about $40 per night.

You'll be very happy with The Orleans.  It's not a luxury hotel, but it's very nice there.

What he said ^^.  

The rooms are nice. You won't be disappointed.
They used to have $1 frozen margaritas in various flavors at the bar in Don Miguel's when I was there in 2007. They served them in small plastic cups, but they were a good deal.

[Bettor Slots]

I've stayed at the Orleans twice now....and in general I think it is a good value.  The rooms are big with a seperate sitting area with a sofa.  The casino I would describe as a nice "homey" feeling with not too much glitz.  Better payout percentages here.  Lots of affordable and decent restaurants.

[brichter]

I can imagine, my daughter has that same skill of making my cash disappear  

Ha, ha! Mine is 19, and I can tell you from experience, it only gets worse as they get older!

[fiddlefarter]

the reviews of this place seem quite good it only cost about $40 per night.

You'll be very happy with The Orleans.  It's not a luxury hotel, but it's very nice there.

I am sure it will be fine, its the child minding that attracts me to there

[fiddlefarter]

KirkInVegas,

A get together sounds great. It should be a good time!

I won't be at the G2E but can arrange some kind of lunch or dinner and some gambling together.

That makes three so far for Vegas, slot monkey, fiddlefarter and KirkInVegas.

Maybe some others here that will be in Vegas around the same time!

I think Opbell would also be interested, and I will be meeting up with Robert E Sult while I am there.

[Op-Bell]

I'm planning a barbecue for that week, but historically my G2E parties tend not to be well attended, because everyone has official events and it's hard to pick a time when people are free together. Perhaps I'll take a poll - if those interested in a get together could say what would be the best day for them, Tuesday through Friday?

I can probably arrange G2E show passes for those that don't have one.

The Orleans is my favorite casino, I hardly ever play anywhere else. On weekends I'm often to be found at the Bourbon Street Cabaret dancing (yeah, believe it!) to the excellent free live music.

[fiddlefarter]

I can imagine, my daughter has that same skill of making my cash disappear 

Ha, ha! Mine is 19, and I can tell you from experience, it only gets worse as they get older!

Damn I thought when she turns 18 and gets a job she looks after me

[fiddlefarter]

I'm not fussy on the day/time I will work in with everyone